Strip take-up threading device

ABSTRACT

A take-up device, adapted to receive a reel on a rotatable support member of such device and to wind strip material onto a reel so received, is provided with a plurality of guide members which are movable to respective threading positions surrounding a received reel for snubbing a leading portion of strip material onto the received reel. One of the guide members is movable to several sensing positions (1) for detecting the presence at the support member of a reel without strip material wound thereon, (2) for detecting the absence of a reel at the support member and (3) for detecting the presence at the support member of a reel with a predetermined length of strip material wound thereon. A control is operatively associated with the sensing guide member and a strip feeding mechanism for preventing strip threading either in the absence of a reel at the support member or should a reel with a predetermined length of strip material wound thereon be received on the support member. Upon snubbing of a leading portion of a strip material onto a received reel, a succeeding portion of such material is tensioned and a strip tension sensor of the take-up device actuates retraction of the guide members other than the sensing guide member from the outermost convolution of strip material wound on the received hub.

United States Patent 91 Wroblewski Jan. 29, 1974 [5 STRIP TAKE-UP THREADING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Richard J. Wroblewski, Fairport,

[73] Assignee: Eastmak Kodak Company,

Rochester, NY.

[22] Filed: May 3, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 139,531

[52] US. Cl 242/210, 242/76, 242/189, 242/195, 352/157 [51] Int. Cl B65h 75/28, B65h 25/04 [58] Field of Search 242/195, 192, 210, 76, 74, 242/197, 198, 201, 71.1, 712,187,189, 190; 352/157, 158

[56] References Cited Primary ExaminerGeorge F. Mautz [5 7] ABSTRACT A take-up device, adapted to receive a reel on a rotatable support member of such device and to wind strip material onto a reel so received, is provided with a plurality of guide members which are movable to respective threading positions surrounding a received reel for snubbing a leading portion of strip material onto the received reel. One of the guide members is movable to several sensing positions (1) for detecting the presence at the support member of a reel without strip material wound thereon, (2) for detecting the absence of a reel at the support member and (3) for detecting the presence at the support member of a reel with a predetermined length of strip material wound thereon. A control is operatively associated with the sensing guide member and a strip feeding mechanism for preventing strip threading either in the absence of a reel at the support member'or should a reel with a predetermined length of strip material wound thereon be received on the support member. Upon snubbing of a leading portion of a strip material onto a received reel, a succeeding portion of such material is tensioned and a strip tension sensor of the take-up device actuates retraction of the guide members other than the sensing guide member from the outermost convolution of strip material wound on the received hub.

3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH29I974 SHEEI 1 er 6 RICHARD J. WROBLEWSKI INVENTOR. BY yw Q5 ATTORNEYS PATEMEW 1w 3.786.572

sumeure RICHARD J. WROBLEWSKI INVENTOR.

BY gym/4' $4M 961. 2%

ATTORNEYS PATENTEU 3. 783L572 SHEET 3 OF 6 ATTORNEYS PATENTED JAN 2 9 E374 SHEET 4 [1F 6 RICHARD J. WROBLEWSKI g INVENTOPL Z 31 BY W ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJANZSHH 3.788572 SHEEI 5 0f 6 RICHARD J. WROBLEWSKI F |G.4 BY 7 fim gm ATTORNEYS PATENTEU JAN 2 9 I974 SHEET 8 OF 6 RICHARD J. WROBLEWSKI INVENTOR.

ATORNEYS 1 STRIP TAKE-UP THREADING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the winding of strip material to form a convoluted roll and, more particularly, to take-up devices for threading such material onto a hub or a reel.

2. Description of the Prior Art In certain kinds of strip material handling apparatus, for example motion picture cameras and projectors, take-up reels are provided upon which successive portions of strip material, for example motion picture film, are wound for storage after having passed through a workstation, such as a film gate. With some apparatus of this kind, the operator must manually thread a free leading end portion of the strip material onto the takeup reel. More recently, there has been devised strip material handling apparatus with take-up devices for automatically threading strip material onto a take-up reel.

One such known take-up threading device, disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,395,870, issued on Aug. 6, 1968, is provided with three guide members which are annularly disposed in spaced relation for directing strip material onto a rotatable take-up hub member. The guide members are pivotally supported for. movement between respective threading positions, wherein the guide members are spring-urged to abut against the hub member, and respective retracted positions, wherein the guide members are spaced from the hub member. The guide members in the threading positions are so configured and arranged with respect to each other and the hub member that a free leading end portion of strip material feeding between the guide members and the hub member will be directed tangentially toward and against the hub member. Since the guide members in the threading positions are disposed circumferentially about the hub member, successive portions of the feeding strip material will be looped about the hub member upon rotation of such member in a winding direction. After several convolutions of strip material are wound about the rotating hub member, the wound strip material will establish a hold on and become firmly anchored or snubbed to the rotating hub member. More over, as the number of convolutions of strip material wound on the rotating hub member increases, the guide members (not abutted against the outermost strip convolution) will pivot outwardly away from the hub member until one of the guide members is disposed to open a normally closed limit switch. Such opening of the limit switch effects deenergization of a solenoid (which is in circuit with the limit switch and is linked to the guide members other than the one guide member). Whereupon, the other guide members will be moved to their retracted positions spaced from the outermost strip convolution.

Generally, in using previous known take-up threading devices of the foregoing kind, it is advantageous to move the guide members outwardly away from the outermost strip convolution as soon as the free leading strip end portion is snubbed onto the rotating hub member since continued abutment of the guide members against the outermost strip convolution serves to offer substantial frictional resistance to rotation of the hub member. It is, therefore, preferable for the normally closed limit switch to be opened, and the guide members moved from their respective threading positions to their respective retracted positions, as soon as the free leading strip end portion is snubbed onto the rotating hub member. However, if the take-up threading device should be adapted for use with substantially thin strip material, as for example film or audio recording/playback tape, then the limit switch must be quite sensitive. That is to say, the limit switch must be sensitive enough to detect the number of strip convolutions on the rotating hub member at which snubbing will be effected. Such a switch is relatively expensive and, therefore, its use may be prohibitive in certain articles which are intended for low cost consumer purchase, such as motion picture cameras and projectors.

Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a take-up threading device of the foregoing kind but which is improved to avoid the above-described disadvantages of devices previously known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved take-up threading device for use with strip material.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a take-up threading device for snubbing a leading portion of strip material onto a reel or a hub, for tensioning strip material upon snubbing of a leading portion of such material onto a reel or a hub, and for sensing strip material so tensioned.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a take-up threading device for snubbing a leading portion of strip material onto a reel or a hub, for tensioning strip material along a feed path upon snubbing of a leading portion of such material onto a reel or a hub, for effecting movement of strip material out of the feed path upon tensioning of such material, and for sensing strip material so moved.

Yet a further objective of the present invention is to i provide a take-up threading device including: (1) at least one guide member which is movable between a threading position, wherein the guide member is oriented to snub a leading portion of strip material onto a reel or a hub, and a retracted position, wherein the guide member is spaced from strip material snubbed onto a reel or a hub; (2) means for rotating a reel or a hub in a winding direction and for tensioning strip material upon snubbing of a leading portion of such material onto a reel or a hub so rotated; and (3) means for sensing tensioned strip material and, in response thereto, for moving the guide member from the thread ing position to the retracted position.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed hereinafter a takeup threading device which is adapted to receive a reel on a rotatable support member of such device and to wind a leading and succeeding portions of strip material onto a reel so received. This device is provided with a plurality of guide members which are mounted for vice actuates movement of the guide members from the threading positions to the retracted positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of such invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. IA is a plan view, partially in section, of a takeup. threading device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and showing the configuration of three guide arms or members of such device before a take-up reel (illustrated in phantom) has been received, for rotation, on a drive spindle of such device;

FIG. 1B is a fragmentary plan view similar to FIG. 1A, showing the position of one of the guide arms preparatory to the receipt of a take-up reel (illustrated in phantom) on the drive spindle;

FIG. 2A is a front elevational view of the take-up threading device as viewed along the line 2A2A in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a front elevational view of the take-up threading device as viewed along the line 2B-2B in FIG. 18;

FIG. 3 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1A, showing the configuration of the guide arms when an empty reel is received on the drive spindle;

FIG. 4 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3, showing the manner in which a free leading end portion of strip material is cinched or snubbed onto the hub member of a received reel, and showing the operation of a strip tension sensor of the take-up threading device;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view similar to FIG. 4, showing a detail of the linkage interconnecting two of the guide arms for synchronous movement toward and away from a received reel; 7

FIG. 6 is a plan view similar to FIG. 4, showing the configuration of the guide arms when strip material is fully wound onto a received reel;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit in the take-up threading'device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 2A of the drawings, there is shown a take-up threading device generally indicated'by the reference numeral 1 and which, for the purpose of illustrating several features of the present invention, is located within a portion or a section 2 of a lighttight housing. The remainder of the housing, other than the foregoing section 2, is not of interest with respect to the details of the preferred embodiment described below, and for that reason a disclosure of the remainder of the housing has been omitted. However, by way of background the housing is of the kind for use with a camera (not shown) or other device adapted to receive light sensitive strip material. As shown in FIG. 2A, the housing section 2 is provided with a base 3, on which the take-up device 1 is mounted, and with an overhead door 4. Moreover, a hinge 5 pivotally connects the housing door 4 to the housing section 2 so as to permit the housing door to be opened for access to the take-up device 1.

Considering now in particular the details of the takeup device 1 as viewed in FIG. 2A, there is shown an upright bearing 6 which is mounted on the housing base 3 so as to rotatably support a vertically disposed shaft 7. A cam plate 8 and a first guide arm 9 of the take-up device 1 are connected to the shaft 7 for synchronous rotation therewith. A lip member 10, depending from an elongate extension 11 of the guide arm 9, is continually urged against the head 12 of a pin 13 by a helical tension spring 14. The spring 14 interconnects the housing base 3 and the guide arm 9 in the manner shown by FIG. 1A. The pin 13 is supported for sliding reciprocating movement by a bracket 15 which is mounted on the housing base 3. Accordingly, as the housing door 4 is opened by an operator (not shown), a plate-like extension 16 of the housing door will be pivoted into abutment against a free end 17 of the pin 13. Further movement of the housing door 4 in an opening direction, generally indicated by the arrow 0 in FIG. 28, will induce the pin 13 to move from a retracted position, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, to an extended position, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B. In

such way, the cam plate 8 and the guide arm 9 will be pivoted, against the urging of the spring 14, away from a take-up spindle assembly 18 of the take-up device 1. As can best be seen in FIG. 18, when the pin 13 is fully extended (and the housing door 4 is completely opened), the guide arm 9 will be disposed to provide sufficient clearance for a take-up reel R to be inserted onto (or removed from) a cylindrical portion 19 and a rectangular driving portion 20 of the spindle assembly 18. Thereafter, as the housing door 4 is closed, the pin 13 will be permitted to move from its extended position to its retracted position and the force of the spring 14 exerted on the guide arm 9 will, in turn, pivot the cam plate 8 and the guide arm in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1B. When the extension 16 of the housing door 4 is pivoted out of the pathof movement of the free pin end 17 by the closing movement of the housing door, the spring 14 will induce the pin 13 to move to its retracted position as shown in FIG. 2A. Simultaneous with the arrival of the pin 13 at its retracted position, if a take-up reel R is not supported on the spindle assembly 18, the cam plate 8 and the guide arm 9 will come to rest at respective locations as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A. In these locations, an idler roller 21, supported adjacent a curved edge. portion 22 of the guide am 9 by a pin connection 23, will abut against the rectangular portion 20 of the spindle assembly 18. Alternatively, if a take-up reel R without strip material wound thereon, i.e. an empty reel, should be supported on the spindle assembly 18, then, upon closing the housing door 4, the cam plate 8 and the guide arm 9 will come to rest at respective locations as shown in FIG. 3. In these locations, the idler roller 21 will abut against a hub member H of the empty reel R.

First and second normally closed, no go, switches 24 and 25 of the take-up device 1 are mounted on the housing base 3 so as to be located in spaced relation along the path of movement of the cam plate 8, see FIGS. 1A and 2A. These switches are of the kind respectively provided with depressible switch elements 26 and 27 which, when individually depressed, open a respective switch so as to effect a no go mode at certain stages in the operational cycle of the take-up device l. The meaning of the term no go as it applies to the take-up device 1 will become apparent on considering a detailed description hereinafter of the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 7.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1B and 2B, the cam plate 8 includes a camming surface or plate edge 28 which is disposed to depress the switch element 27 (but which is spaced from the switch element 26) when the housing door 4 is opened. Conversely, when the housing door 4 is closed and the idler roller 21 on the first guide arm 9 is abutted against the rectangular portion 20 of the take-up spindle assembly 18, I as in the abovedescribed example shown by FIGS. 1A and 2A, the cam plate edge 28 is disposed to depress the switch element 26 (but is spaced from the switch element 27). Moreover, when the housing door 4 is closed and the idler roller 21 is abutted against the hub member H of an empty reel R, as in the above-described example shown by FIG. 3, the cam plate edge 28 is spaced from each of the switch elements 26 and 27. With respect to the last-mentioned example, a relieved portion 29 of the cam plate edge 28 serves to space the cam plate edge from the switch element 26.

With reference to the example shown in FIG. 6 it can be seen that if a reel R, on which a full complement of strip material S has been wound, should be supported on the spindle assembly 18, then, upon closing the housing door 4, the cam plate 8 and the guide arm 9 will come to rest at respective locations wherein the idler roller 21 is abutted against the outermost strip convolution C. In these locations, the cam plate edge 28 is disposed to depress the switch element 27 (but is spaced from the switch element 26).

It can now be appreciated that the cam plate 8 will be disposed to open the first switch 24 (but not the second switch 25) when the idler roller 21 on the first guide arm 9 is abutted against the rectangular portion 20 of the take-up spindle assembly 18' (see FIG. 1A). Moreover, the cam plate 8 will be disposed to open the second switch 25 (but not the first switch 24) when either the housing door 4 is opened (see FIG. 1B) or a reel R, on which a full complement of strip material S has been wound, is supported on the spindle assembly 18 and the idler roller 21 is abutted against the outermost strip convolution C (see FIG. 6). It is to be further appreciated that the first and second switches 24 and 25 will be closed when the housing door 4 is closed and an empty reel R is supported on the spindle assembly 18 (see FIG. 3). In the last-mentioned example, the switches 24 and 25 will effect a go mode for the takeup device 1. The meaning of the term go as it applies to the take-up device 1 will become apparent on considering a detailed description hereinafter of the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 7.

Considering now a typical sequence of operation for the take-up device 1 in which it is assumed that an operator (not shown) has placed an empty reel R on the spindle assembly 18 and has closed the housing door 4 so that, as viewed in FIG. 3, the first and second switches 24-and 25 are closed and the idler roller 21 on the first guide arm 9 is abutted against the reel hub H. Upon manually closing a normally opened start switch 30 (see FIG. 7) which is preferably located on a control board (not shown), a drive motor 31 in electrical'circuit with the start switch- (see FIGS. 2A and 7) will be energized to rotate the spindle assembly 18 and the empty reel R in a winding direction, generally indicated by the arrow 32, as shown in FIG. 3. Moreover, the drive motor 31, when energized, serves to rotate a drive roller 33 and a pressure idler roller 34 of a strip feeding or advancing assembly 35. These rollers 33 and 34 are rotated in opposite directions, generally indicated by the arrows 36 and 37, as shown in FIG. 3 and are supported above the housing base 3 by a suitable bracket (not shown). Accordingly, if strip material S is advanced off a supply reel (not shown) and into a guide track 38 which is likewise supported above the housing base 3 at the same elevation as the strip feeding assembly 35, the strip material will be directed between the drive roller 33 and the pressure idler roller 34. In such way, the strip material S will be advanced along the guide track 38 in a downstream direction, generally indicated by the arrow 39, as shown in FIG. 3.

Disposed across the guide track 38 at a location downstream from the strip feeding assembly 35, there is shown in FIG. 3 a flexible finger member 40 which bracket 42 which is mounted on the housing base (see FIG. 2A). As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, when a free leading end portion L of the strip material S is advanced against the finger member 40 by the strip feeding assembly 35, the finger member will pivot in a clockwise direction and depress a switch element 43 of the switch 41 so as to close the switch. Closing of the switch 41 in the foregoing manner, serves to energize a solenoid 44 which, in turn, serves to retract a plunger member 45 of the solenoid; whereupon, a second guide arm 46 and a third guide arm 47 of the take-up device 1 will be moved from respective retracted positions, as shown in FIG. 3, to respective threading positions, as shown in FIG. 4, by a linkage assembly 48 interconnecting the plunger member 45 and the second and third guide arms.

Briefly considering the linkage assembly 48, there is shown in FIG. 3 first and second rotatable shaft members 49 and 50 which extend in parallel spaced relation along axes of rotation respectively perpendicular to the housing base 3. The first shaft member 49 is rotatably supported above the housing base 3 by a bearingbracket member 51 which is mounted on and extends from the housing base in the manner shown by FIG. 2A. The second shaft 49 is rotatably supported at the housing base 3 by a suitable bearing member (not shown) which is mounted on the housing base. The second guide arm 46 and a first link member 52 are supported in spaced relation on the first shaft member 49 for synchronous rotation therewith. The third guide arm 47 and a second link member 53 are supported in spaced relation on the second shaft member 50 for synand third guide arms 46 and 47 are biased to a configuration, as viewed in FIG. 3, when the solenoid 44 is deenergized. This configuration is effected by an overcenter helical tension spring 57, interconnecting the housing base 3 and the pivot stud 55, and a helical compression spring 82, interconnecting the second link member 53 and the housing base. A stop pin 58 is mounted on the housing base 3 to abut against the second link member 53, and thereby, position the second link member, as viewed in FIG. 3, when the second and third guide arms 46 and 47 are disposed in their respective retracted positions. A helical tension spring 59 interconnects the plunger member 45 of the solenoid 44 and third guide arm 47. Accordingly, upon energization of the solenoid 44 in the above-described manner, the linkage assembly 48 and the second and third guide arms 46 and 47 are moved from the configuration shown in FIG. 3 to the configuration shown in FIG. 4. Conversely, upon deenergization of the solenoid 44 in a manner to be described hereinafter, the linkage assembly 48 and the second and third guide arms 46 and 47 are moved from the configuration shown in FIG. 4 to the configuration shown in FIG. 3.

Referring again to the operational sequence of the take-up device 1, it can be seen in FIG. 4 that when the first, second and third guide arms 9, 46 and 47 are disposed in their respective threading positions, the idler roller 21 (on the first guide arm), an idler roller 61 (which is supported on the second guide arm by a pin connection 62) and an idler roller 63 (which is supported on the third guide arm by a pin connection 64) will be equally spaced about the reel hub H in abutting relation therewith. Moreover, the curved edge portion 22 of the first guide arm 9, a curved edge portion 65 of the second guide arm 46 and a curved edge portion 66 of the third guide arm 47 will cooperate to define a substantially closed chamber about the reel hub H. It can now be appreciated that if the strip material S should first be advanced by the strip feeding assembly between spaced idler rollers 67 and 68 (which are resectively supported on the first guide arm 9 by the shaft 7 and a pin connection 69) and thereafter advanced between the first guide arm and a guide finger 70 (which is supported on the first guide arm in fixed, spaced, parallel relation therewith by the shaft 7), then, the strip material will bedirected tangentially toward and against the reel hub H in the manner shown by FIG. 4. Since the reel R is rotating with the take-up spindle assembly 18 in the winding direction, generally indicated by the arrow 32, successive portions of the strip material S will be looped about the reel hub H to form a strip convolution. After several convolutions of the strip material S are wound about the reel hub H, the wound strip material will establish a hold on and become firmly anchored or snubbed to the reel hub.

As can best be seen inFIG. 5, the third link member 54 of the. linkage assembly 48 is providedv with a clearance slot 60 in which the pivot stud 56 is movably seated. When the second and third guide arms 46 and 47 and the linkage assembly 48 are disposed in the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the clearance slot 60 serves to permit a slight movement of the linkage assembly relative to the reel R on the take-up spindle assembly 18, so that the springs 57 and 82 can urge the idler roller 61 (on the secondguide arm 46) and the idler roller 63 (on the third guide arm 47) firmly against the reel hub H.

A strip tension sensing assembly 71 of the take-up device 1, as shown in FIG. 4, is disposed adjacent an arcuate or elbow portion 72 of the guide track 38. As viewed in FIG. 4, the arcuate portion 72 serves as a directional change in the guide track 38. The strip tension sensing assembly 71 is provided with a pair of spaced idler rollers 73 and 74 which are respectively supported adjacent the opposite ends of an opening 75 in the guide track 38 by pin connections76 and 77 (attached to the guide track). The idler rollers 73 and 74 are located alongside the guide track opening 75 so as to be slightly spaced from the strip material S moving in the guide track 38. An idler roller 78 is supported by a pin connection 79 on a depressible switch element 80 of a normally opened strip tension sensing switch 81. This switch 81 is mounted above the housing base 3, at the same elevation as the guide track 38, by a suitable bracket (not shown) so that the idler roller 78 is slightly spaced from the strip material S moving through the arcuate portion 72 of the guide track (see FIG. 4). Accordingly, upon snubbing of the strip material S to the hub member H of the take-up reel R in the abovedescribed manner, the portion of the strip material, extending in the guide track 38 between the reel hub H and the strip feeding assembly 35, will be abruptly tensioned. whereupon, as shown in FIG. 4, a strip section S will move laterally out of the guide track opening 74 in response to such tensioning and will come to rest against the idler rollers 73 and 74. In such way, the idler roller 78 will be moved to a retracted position (as shown by the idler roller 78' in FIG. 4) and the switch 81 will be closed.

Moreover, as will become apparent on considering a detailed description hereinafter of the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 7, upon closing the strip tension sensing switch 81, the solenoid 44 will be deenergized so as to move the plunger member 45 thereof to a normally extended position (as viewed in FIG. 6). Accordingly, the second and third guide arms 46 and 47 will be moved from their respective threading positions to their respective retracted positions (as shown by the second and third guide arms 46' and 47 in FIG. 4) and, simultaneously therewith, the linkage assembly 48 will be moved from the configuration shown in FIG. 4 to the configuration shown in FIG. 6.

After the second and third guide arms 46 and 47 ar moved from their respective threading positions shown in FIG. 4 to their respective retracted positions shown in FIG. 5 and as successive convolutions of the strip material S are wound onto the hub member H of the take-up reel R, the idler roller 21 on the first guide arm 9 will continue to ride on the outermost strip convolution so that the first guide arm will be incrementally pivoted outwardly as each successive strip convolution is formed. As viewed in FIG. 2A, a gear and clutch mechanism 83 (the details of which are generally known) is located between the take-up spindle assembly 18 and the drive roller 31. This mechanism 83 is adapted to slip at a predetermined torque so that the tension in the strip material S, extending between the take-up reel R and a supply reel (not shown), permits the take-up reel to be rotated by the drive motor 34 only as fast as dictated by the corresponding drive motor (not shown) which effects the unwinding rotation of the supply reel.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, it can be seen that when a trailing end portion T of the strip material S is advanced in the downstream direction, generally indicated by the arrow 39, past the strip feeding assembly 35, the strip material will no longer be tensioned between the reel hub H and the strip feeding assembly. Whereupon, the idler roller 78 will move from the retracted position (as shown by the idler roller 78 in FIG. 4) to a normally extended position (as shown by the idler roller 78 in FIG. 4) and, simultaneously therewith, the strip tension sensing switch 81 will open. At this time, as will become apparent on considering a detailed description hereinafter of the electrical circuit Moreover, when a full complement of the strip material S has been wound onto the take-up reel R, as shown in FIG. 6, and the switch element 27 has been depressed by the cam plate edge 28 so as to open the second no go switch 25, the drive motor 31 will not be deenergized.

When the trailing end portion T of the strip material S is drawn past the finger member 40 of the strip sensing switch 41 by the winding rotation of the reel hub H, as shown in FIG. 6, the strip sensing switch will open and the drive motor 31 will be deenergized in accordance with the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 7. Upon deenergization of the drive motor 31, the take-up reel R will come to rest. Thereafter, the operator (not shown) may open the housing door 4 and remove the take-up reel R and the strip material S. However, should the operator forget to remove the take-up reel R on which is wound a full complement of the strip material S and, believing an empty reel R is supported on the spindle assembly 18, manually depress the start switch 30, then, as will become apparent on considering the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 7, the take-up device I will be prevented from effecting a go mode for beginning the operational sequence just described.

Considering now the electrical circuit of the take-up device 1, there is shown in FIG. 7 a first relay 84 and a second relay 85. The first relay 84 is provided with normally opened switch contacts 84-1 and 84-2 and with normally closed switch contacts 84-3 and 84-4. The second relay 85 is provided with normally opened switch contacts 85-1, 85-2 and 853. Moreover, there is shown in FIG. 7 the normally opened start switch 30, the normally closed first and second no go switches 24 and 25, the normally opened strip sensing switch 41, the normally opened strip tension sensing switch 81, the solenoid 44 and the drive motor 34. To facilitate an understanding of the electrical circuit as it applies to a typical sequence of operation for the take-up device 1, there is provided below a truth table which shows the mode of the electrical circuit at each operational step. The truth table should be read one column at a time, beginning with the step 0.

placed an empty reel R on the take-up spindle assembly I 18 and has closed the housing door 4 (see FIG. 3), steps 2' and 3 characterize the above-described example wherein the operator has closed the housing door without first placing a reel on the take-up spindle assembly (see FIG. 1A), and steps 2" and 3" characterize the above-described example wherein a reel with a full complement of strip material S is supported on the take-up spindle assembly and the operator has closed the housing door (FIG. 6).

It will now be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the take-up device 1 can be operated (l) to detect the presence of an empty reel R at the spindle assembly 18, (2) to detect the absence of a reel at the spindle assembly and (3) to detect the presence of a reel with a full complement of strip material S at the spindle assembly. Moreover, the take-up device 1 is prevented from effecting a go or operative mode of begin strip feeding and strip threading unless an empty reel R is supported on the spindle assembly 18. That is to say, a no go or inoperative mode will be effected if the take-up device 1 should detect either the absence of a reel R at the spindle assembly 18 or the presence of a reel with a full complement of strip material S at the spindle assembly.

Although the take-up device 1 has been considered hereinbefore for use with light sensitive strip material, it will of course be appreciated that such device can be similarly used with other kinds of strip material.

The present invention has been described in considerable detail with particular reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope and spirit of such invention.

I claim:

1. In a take-up device for winding a leading portion of strip material onto a hub, the combination comprismg:

means defining a guide track along which strip material can be advanced toward a hub;

TRUTH TKELE Q-OCQ-OOOD-OQOOQ-OOOO O 0 O O O-OOQ-OOOQOOOOD-OO O O O G QOOQ-OOOQOOOOO-OOO (D O (B 0 OOg-OOOGOOOOO-OOOO COO-(300000 COO. train ,0

Legend:

Capitalized letter indicates the item initiating a particular sequential step:

o-indicates open. c-indicates "closed.

deindicates "deenergizetf. e-indicates "energized". *indicates dont In the foregoing truth table steps 2-8 characterize the above-described example wherein the operator has said guide track including an elbow portion, defining a directional change in said track, and including an snub a leading portion of strip material to a hub, and respective retracted positions, in which said guide members are spaced from strip material snubbed to the hub;

means for rotating a hub in a winding direction to 15 tension strip material along said guide track in the event that a leading portion of such material is snubbed to the hub; and

means for sensing movement of strip material out of said guide track at said opening and, in response thereto, for moving said guide members from said respective snubbing positions to said respective re-Y tracted positions.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing and moving means includes:

a strip tension sensing switch having an actuat'able switch element;

means locating said switch with respect to said opening in said guide track so that said switch element is spaced from strip material advancing along said track and is actuated by movement of such material out of said track at said opening; and

means, connected in an electrical circuit with said switch, for moving said guide members from said respective snubbing positions to said respective retracted positions in response to actuation of said switch element by movement of strip material out of said guide track.

3. The combination as recited in claim 2, wherein said opening in said guide track has opposite ends, and the combination further comprises:

two idler rollers respectively located substantially adjacent said opposite ends of said opening to support strip material moved out of said guide track at said opening. 

1. In a take-up device for winding a leading portion of strip material onto a hub, the combination comprising: means defining a guide track along which strip material can be advanced toward a hub; said guide track including an elbow portion, defining a directional change in said track, and including an opening opposite said elbow portion, allowing strip material to move out of said track in response to tensioning of such material along said track; means for snubbing a leading portion of strip material, advanced along said guide track, to a hub; said snubbing means including several guide members and means for mounting said guide members for movement between respective snubbing positions, in which said guide members are oriented to snub a leading portion of strip material to a hub, and respective retracted positions, in which said guide members are spaced from strip material snubbed to the hub; means for rotating a hub in a winding direction to tension strip material along said guide track in the event that a leading portion of such material is snubbed to the hub; and means for sensing movement of strip material out of said guide track at said opening and, in response thereto, for moving said guide members from said respective snubbing positions to said respective retracted positions.
 2. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing and moving means includes: a strip tension sensing switch having an actuatable switch element; means locating said switch with respect to said opening in said guide track so that said switch element is spaced from strip material advancing along said track and is actuated by movement of such material out of said track at said opening; and means, connected in an electrical circuit with said switch, for moving said guide members from said respective snubbing positions to said respective retracted positions in resPonse to actuation of said switch element by movement of strip material out of said guide track.
 3. The combination as recited in claim 2, wherein said opening in said guide track has opposite ends, and the combination further comprises: two idler rollers respectively located substantially adjacent said opposite ends of said opening to support strip material moved out of said guide track at said opening. 